The Four Stages of Enlightenment In Theravada Buddhism, the goal of the Dharma practice is to achieve enlightenment as an Arahant. The Four Stages of Enlightenment are Sotapanna, Sakadagami, Anagami, and Arahant. People who are at one of these four stages as known as the noble people (ariya-puggala) by the Buddha. […]
Buddhism
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20 Inspirational Quotes by Rumi Rumi (Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī) was a 13th century Persian, Islamic scholar, theologian, Sunni Muslim, Sufi mystic. His major work is the Matnawīye Manawī, a six-volume poem regarded by many to be one of the greatest works of mystical poetry. Deemed as “most popular poet” and […]
The Great Translator, Hsuan-tsang Hsuan-tsang (599-664 A.D.) [玄奘] As a translator, Hsuan-tsang who was regarded as second only to Kumarajiva, had great influence on later Buddhist thought and development. He translated more scriptures than any of the other translators. Unlike many other great translators, Hsuan-tsang was a local Chinese. He was […]
Tendai Buddhism and the Practice of Amitabha Buddha By Tendai UK AMIDA BUTSU 阿弥陀仏 (AMITABHA BUDDHA) Originally, Amida was a Bodhisattva monk called Dharmakāra (Hōzō 法蔵). He was a king who, like Shakyamuni, gave up his thrown to become a monk. After eons of practice, he became Dharmakāra Bodhisattva, […]
Deciphering the Lotus Sutra: Commentary by Thich Nhat Hanh (Chapter 1) Open Two Doors: Historical Dimension and Ultimate Dimension #1 The introductory chapter opens two doors. The first door is that of history, the events we experience and what we can see and know in our own lifetimes. The […]
Gosho Study #12: Reply to the Lay Priest Takahashi When all others hate me, the fact that you have placed even a bit of trust in me and, moreover, have come all the way here to visit me, cannot be ascribed to the karma of your present life alone. Surely […]
Challenging Every Obstacle By Bill Ponce (USA) I was 19 when I came to the United States from Mexico, not speaking English and with only a seventh-grade education. By 27, I was married and had two beautiful daughters—and a drinking problem. At 33, my marriage ended in divorce, and my […]
10 Celebrities who are Members of Soka Gakkai Soka Gakkai, which means “Value-Creating Society,” is a lay Buddhist organization under the umbrella of Nichiren Buddhism. The core practice of Soka Gakkai is to chant the title of the Lotus Sutra – “Nam Myoho Renge Kyo” – and recite excerpts of […]
Gosho Study #11: The Actions of the Votary of the Lotus Sutra My disciples, form your ranks and follow me, and surpass even Mahakashyapa and Ananda, Tien-tai or Dengyo! If you quail before the threats of the ruler of this little island country and abandon your faith, how will you […]
Mangala Sutta: 38 Blessings (Part 2/3) The elements of this group reveal the steps for further personal development which should be taken when we have established ourselves in family and work. Once we have attained these Personal Blessings, the transition towards higher spiritual ideals becomes very smooth. Part 3: The […]
